Three DIY Popsicles Recipes That Are Healthy and Delicious

Popsicles are a staple of the summer for all ages; nothing’s better than something cold and sweet to help you slow down and relax on a hot summer day. And even though frozen food aisles are filled with ready-to-eat options, making your own DIY Popsicles is a great way to use whole foods while cutting out the added sugar and preservatives of the prepackaged pops.

Aside from being healthier, deciding to make ice pops yourself is also a great way to spend some of your family time in the kitchen learning about nutrients while following a few simple steps. Try these recipes this week:

Citrus Tricolored Pops

Who doesn’t remember waiting in line at the ice cream truck to purchase a Firecracker—that cool and delicious red, white, and blue Popsicle? Its colorful appearance made this a treat to behold, and the three distinct flavors hit all the right spots. Like many prepackaged pops, this sweet treat contains added sugars, but its core ingredients can be replicated at home with natural fruit juices.

Citrus-fruit juices are an ideal base for these yummy tricolored Popsicles, as the juices are rich with vitamin C with a low glycemic index score. This means their natural sugars don’t cause a big increase in blood sugar. Pick your favorite three citruses and try this healthy alternative to a schoolyard favorite with your family.

For my version, I picked up the following:

• 2 cups orange juice
• 2 cups grapefruit juice
• 2 cups blood orange juice
• 8 paper cups
• 8 sticks

Start with the orange juice, pouring it one third of the way up each of the cups. Place your cups in the freezer for three hours. Then, pour the grapefruit juice one third of the way up each of the cups. Put the cups back in the freezer for an additional three hours. Finally, pour the blood orange Juice into the cups and place a stick in each one. Freeze for at least three hours or overnight.

Frozen Banana-Strawberry Bars

Bananas are one of my favorite fruits to add to a treat. These frozen banana-strawberry bars are healthy, delicious, and made with real fruit, unlike many of the store-bought alternatives. Rich in potassium (which can repair muscles and regular blood pressure), bananas are a super fruit that is the perfect base for this summer dessert.

To make these healthy treats, gather these ingredients:

• 2 cups vanilla almond milk
• 2 frozen bananas, chopped
• 1 cup fresh strawberries
• 8 paper cups
• 8 sticks

Place the almond milk, bananas, and strawberries into a blender and mix until everything is smooth. Pour the mixture into cups, and place a stick into the center of each one. You can freeze them overnight and enjoy the very next day.

Homemade Orange Dream Bars

Orange and vanilla flavors combine in the classic frozen dessert that is the Creamsicle. While the original version is delicious, the nutrition of this yummy treat is what stands out when made at home. I like to use vanilla almond milk, which is low in calories and contains no saturated fats, but you can switch it out for whichever milk or dairy substitute you prefer.

Here are the ingredients to shop for:

• 1½ cups orange juice
• 1½ cups vanilla almond milk
• 8 paper cups
• 8 sticks

Mix the orange juice and almond milk together until they’re fully combined. Pour the liquid into each cup, placing a stick into the center of each one, and freeze them overnight. This pop can also be made in layers if you prefer to keep your orange and vanilla flavors separate.

These three recipes for DIY Popsicles may not boast the brightly-colored packaging and enticing sugar of a store-bought brand, but they’re even more delicious thanks to the natural sweetness of real fruits. Create something delicious that adds to the summer fun for your family this season.

What’s your favorite frozen treat recipe? How do you like to make Popsicles? Get on Twitter and let us know.

Images sources: Flickr | Flickr

This article was brought to you by Tom’s of Maine. The views and opinions expressed by the author do not reflect the position of Tom’s of Maine.